The worst places to break down according to Aussie drivers and what to do if it happens

As I drove my Daewoo Matiz (Mertel) toward Melbourne and began the climb up the Westgate Bridge, I felt the car begin to shudder. It was a feeling I’d felt before on other stifling summer days like this one and instantly the feeling of dread overcame me.

Soon enough, not long after I’d reached the middle and top of the bridge, Mertel’s shuddering stopped, along with the entire car. I was now stationary, not far past the Australian flag, on the second lane from the outside, in peak hour, on the ridiculously busy bridge.

For as long as I can remember breaking down in this precise location had been a fear of mine. The idea of being stuck suspended high above the water below, as cars and trucks sped past me, in the relatively tight lanes feeling the sway of the very infrastructure that held me, made me want to scream, cry and run all at once. Instead, I flicked my hazard lights on, called the appropriate numbers and tried my best not to absolutely freak out.

While my breakdown fear came true, not everyone is so unlucky. carsales spoke with other motorists about where they would hate to break down as well as experts for advice about what to do if like me, these fears do manifest.

Michelle, 42 - "The thought of being stuck on a highway in the middle of nowhere at night-time, with not many people around has always been a fear of mine. You always hear stories of people going missing, being picked up on these roads and then never seeing them again, especially women.

While it happens during the day too, night-time just seems riskier because there are fewer people around. When I was younger, I’d always drive with other people in the car for security, now I just avoid doing it all together."

Dave, 39 - "I frequently drive long distances and across states. I have broken down a few times now and by far the worst was when it happened in a long stretch of the outback with dodgy mobile reception and no services for hundreds of kilometres.

Thankfully, I was equipped with a satellite phone, water and food but it still made me uneasy - the sun, and heat, are uncontrollable forces and you have to respect and prepare for them, otherwise, it can be fatal."

Maria, 71 - "I avoid driving in tunnels as much as possible but driving in Sydney, sometimes it has to be done. I’ve always been claustrophobic, so the darkened, small space of tunnels increases my anxiety.

It does this whenever I drive through them, even when it isn’t busy. If I ever broke down in one, I just don’t know how I’d cope.

The thought of being underground or underwater makes it even worse. I always think of disaster movies and start envisioning water rushing in and then not being able to escape. As I get older, I worry more too."

Sarah, 42 - "I have lived near Shellharbour for years now, so the road known as ‘The Bloody Mile’ being haunted isn’t new to me and the thought of breaking down there is definitely a fear of mine.

I have heard stories about the road from many locals, who say the spirits of murder victims killed on that stretch of road are always there, moaning as they walk along and while I happily drive there during daylight hours, the combination of darkness and spirits, well I am just not willing to take the chance, so it is a no-go zone for me."

While there isn’t specific advice for haunted roads, Jackie Pedersen, General Manager of Automotive Services of RACV tells carsales there are some ways you can best manage and prepare for the situation.

“RACV recommends pulling over as safely as you can, using your hazard lights, alerting emergency services and call for roadside assistance for help or towing.”

They also suggest servicing your vehicle regularly to prevent any potential issues before they affect your car’s performance.

Another great tip is to ensure you have emergency essentials packed in your car that includes:

Related: What should I do if my car breaks down?

Related: Top five items you should carry in your car

Related: Five things a near-crash taught me about driving